Minerva saurodosis was named by Wetmore (1921). Its type specimen is A.N.S.P. no. 9131, a limb element (distal end of left humerus), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Lodge-Pole Trail, which is in a Bridgerian terrestrial horizon in the Bridger Formation of Wyoming.

It was recombined as Protostrix saurodosis by Wetmore (1933), Wetmore (1937), Wetmore (1940), Wetmore (1956).